Boston Suspect ID'd? Video Footage of 'Dark-Skinned' Suspect Found by FBI

By Jon Campbell, Christian Post Contributor Wednesday, April 17, 2013

This photo shows authorities working in the aftermath of the Boston bombings that took place Monday April 15, 2013. This photo was taken from exactly the same angle as the camera from Lord and Taylor which is believed to have shown someone walking towards the mail box before dropping a package and walking away. | (Photo: Reuters)

A Boston Marathon bombing suspect has been identified by authorities, according to reports at about 1 p.m. ET.

According to reports, authorities have made a huge breakthrough in their investigations with at least two separate videos being used to help them identify a suspect.

Surveillance video footage from a store, believed to be a Lord & Taylor Department Store, near where the second bombing took place on Monday, as well as video footage from a local Boston TV station, have helped investigators identify a person thought to have placed at least one of the bombs.

According to reports, a "dark-skinned" male could be seen in the videos carrying a bag and dropping the item at a location consistent with what investigators believe would have been the placing of the bomb.

CNN's John King explained that a reputable law enforcement source gave him further descriptions about that male, but that at the present time it was "too sensitive" to make that further information public.

A man kneels praying in front of a make shift memorial on Boylston Street a day after two explosions hit the Boston Marathon in Boston, Massachusetts April 16, 2013. | (Photo: Reuters/Adrees Latif)

It is unknown yet whether this was a lone suspect, or whether the male was part of wider group, however, the video footage is said to have a clear shot of the man's face, and has been described by one unnamed official as a "game-changer."

A briefing that was scheduled for 1 p.m. ET to offer an update on investigations has now been postponed until 5 p.m. as officials focus on the new information that has come to light.

The breakthrough comes after preliminary investigations identified that the bomb devices used at the Boston Marathon were determined to be housed in a pressure cooker, according to reports.

The cookers were used to conceal the explosive material as well as metal shards, nails and ball bearings in order to inflict as much damage as possible.

A person who revealed the new development in the terror case spoke on the condition of anonymity to the Associated Press because the investigation is still going.

They stated the explosives were put in 6-liter kitchen pressure cookers and hidden in bags that were placed on the ground.

The new video evidence has not yet been released by authorities.

Here is video news footage from Monday's Boston bombings: